It's not that I don't like RPGs with the traditional fantasy medieval pseudo-European setting, but lately I've been hungering for more RPGs that take place in a different setting. I'm particularly interested in PC RPGs, but I also have a PS3, 3DS, and PSP so I welcome any suggestions for any of those platforms. Especially looking for turn-based combat or real-time w/ pause as I'm generally bored with action RPGs and not interested in MMOs. I like RPGs with you know role-playing: lots of dialogue, deep stories, meaningful choices and not just endless battles. I figure there have to be some indie RPGs out there that have some unconventional settings.

Any good sci-fi RPGs out there? Of course I know about the wildly popular series like Mass Effect and Deus Ex (which are arguably really action games with RPG elements). I love Fallout 1&2 (tried 3 but couldn't really get into it). I'm looking forward to Wasteland 2 and Shadowrun Returns (which is cyberpunk + fantasy). Anyway, overall it seems like Sci-Fi RPGs are pretty rare.

I'd also be very interested in more fantasy RPGs that don't take place in a medieval European-based setting. I'm backing a game on Kickstarter called Unrest that takes place in a fantasy version of Ancient India and emphasizes choice over combat.

Any East-Asia inspired RPGs? Only games that comes to mind are Suikoden and Jade Empire. Any Samurai inspired RPGs? I know there's a good number of strategy games based in feudal Japan, but not really any RPGs.

Well, there's Kingdom of Paradise/Key of Heaven (depending on your region), a fantasy action RPG set in a very east-asian inspired world, there's also the entire Shin Megami Tensei series. There's Anachronox (available on GOG.com) and Septerra Core (also GOG) as well for PC. And look into DS rpgs. There's a ton of them that are all over the setting scale.

Penny Arcade is a weird amalgamation of settings, but it's definitely not the standard medieval Europe thing. And it's turn-based.

There's also the entire Disgaea series. If you've never played them, you've got a variety of options with the three non PC systems you mentioned. (Although technically, you'd be playing a DS game on your 3DS.) We've given darned good reviews to them all. If you're completely unfamiliar with the series, my review of the first Disgaea on PSP is practically a game guide. If you're just interested in which one's best, read any of 'em. :) I think 2 was my favorite.

As Zendervai says, SMT is a big one, as well as Persona. You can get Persona 3 Portable on your PSP, and it's dynamite.

Looks like the Shadow Hearts series is for you! It has that JRPG sense of adventure, but takes place during WWI(and into the 20's) in many real world locations. There isn't so much in the way of meaningful choices, but characters and story are a major focus. I will echo Zendervai's recommendations of Shin Megami Tensei with it's Post-Apocalyptic Tokyo being interesting as well as Anachronox. The SMT offshoots Persona and Digital Devil Saga a regood fantastical Sci-F settings with good characters, there is more dialogue otions in Persona though. Chrono Cross has another one of those weird JRPG amalgam worlds, but it is a semi-modern Caribbean world. There is definitely more I'm not thinking of...

You mentioned Fallout 3, but did you try New Vegas too? I thought F3 was terribad while NV solved all problems I had with the original (Gamebryo crappiness aside).

Really? I actually thought 3 was a lot better, the narrative I felt was a lot more focused. The factions thing was interesting in NV but the companions weren't as interesting, except Boone(he's awesome). Also, 3 you could very easily max out all your stats and skills while NV was more balanced and I kind of like that maxing out everything. Old world blues is probably the best expansion out of all of them though.

Are you asking for neither medieval nor Europe, or just non-medieval Europe?

Solatorobo takes place in an 1800s French-esque setting, where everything is floating islands. So does Skies of Arcadia, for that matter.

Worlds of Ultima: Martian Dreams takes place on an 1800s inspired European-styled Mars. It's also free on gog.

The Geneforge games kind of... do their own thing. It's never really clear if they're post-apocalyptic sci-fi or fantasy. Clarke's Third Law and all. Ostensibly the europeanoid high-fantasy we're used to, but gone all askew.

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How about Jade Cocoon? That's more of a South America influence.

Also picked up some African and I THINK Vietnam?

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Chrono Cross has another one of those weird JRPG amalgam worlds, but it is a semi-modern Caribbean world. There is definitely more I'm not thinking of...

1000 AD in Chrono Trigger was... not modern but they had electricity so I think you could say it was roughly steampunkish? CC was in 1030 AD and technology's improved by that point except you're in some backwater-ass island so you don't see much of it.

« Last Edit: June 07, 2013, 11:54:58 PM by MeshGearFox »

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o/` I do not feel joy o/`o/` I do not dream o/`o/` I only stare at the door and smoke o/`

Soul Reaver [PC, PS1] - post-apocalyptic vampire wasteland, good dialogue and voice acting, but it is zelda-ish in terms of action

Phantasy Star Online/Portable (or even the classics on a genesis collection on ps3) [psp, pc] - futuristic / sci-fi, the modern ones may be too action-y

Parasite Eve [ps1] - Modern New York, jrpg

Valkyria Chronicles [PS3, psp] - Europe, but WW2 era, strategy rpg

Jade Empire [PC] - China

Also, while you aren't looking for MMOs, one of the best non-medieval settings I've seen in a game (in terms of novelty and atmosphere) is Anarchy Online [PC]. I find that when I play it I am alone far more often than in a group, combat pace is slow enough and mechanics are suitably complex that it's almost more of a strategy game to optimize setups. It is turning 12 years old this month, so it's not a dazzling modern spectacle and it has some very old-school design, but I still get back into it every few years and regard it as one of my favorite games.

By looking at your comment it seems to me you do have somewhat of a preference to western RPGs but one RPG which I would consider somewhat futuristic and has an awesome combat system is Resonance of Fate. The story is a little insane but the combat more than makes up for it. A game that is always a challenge, from the time your start the game it rarely get's easy and it's always fun!

One that is hot entirely an RPG and more an adventure game is Heavy Rain. It may please you. Lots of choices, dark settings, good story.